December 13th, 2009

ABOUT THE EVENT:

What is the Fairytale Smackdown?

This unique end-of-the-year bash will feature a night of re-imagined adult fairy tales written and directed by, and starring members of NYTE’s extended community -- and it will all happen over the span of just one weekend!  This is one event where ANYTHING GOES -- from seven polygamous dwarves to a cannibalistic Gingerbread Man. The event will culminate in a public presentation of the produced plays, followed by a blowout holiday celebration!

When is it?

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13th

Rehearsal Noon-7pm

Performance at 7pm

Playwrights will receive their instructions on Thursday Dec. 10th. They will then have until noon on Saturday Dec. 12th to write their 10-minute play. NYTE will then select a number of the plays for production. Registered actors and directors will arrive at noon on Sunday Dec. 13th and with lightning speed, they will be assigned to a play. They will then go directly into rehearsal, and at 7pm, come together with our audience for the final presentation of all the pieces!

Where is it?

Rehearsals are at 939 Eighth Ave., Studio #3A.

The performance & holiday party are at The Access Theatre -- 380 Broadway, 4th Floor (between Walker & White).

Who can participate?

Anyone! If you are an actor, director, or playwright, we invite you to sign up now! We also encourage EVERYONE participating to take a crack at writing a play!

What is the time commitment?

Playwrights must commit to writing a play between the time they are given their instructions (on Dec 10th) and the deadline on Dec 12th at noon. Playwrights do NOT need to be in attendance on Sunday, although we of course encourage you to attend the final presentation in the evening!

Actors and Directors MUST commit to being fully available from Noon-10pm on Sunday Dec 13th. Because all the plays will be rehearsed and performed in this compressed time period, we cannot allow anyone to participate if they are not able to be there for the full time.

How do I sign up?

Unfortunately, the registration period for this event has closed! If you have signed up, you should have received a confirmation email from us -- if you did not, please contact allyson@newyorktheatreexperiment.org. If you missed the sign up deadline, come party with us anyway! It’s not too late to get your tickets to the presentation & holiday party!

If I’m writing a play, what do I need to know?

If you’ve signed up to write a play, you will receive additional instructions from us via email. DON’T START WRITING YET!  On Thurs Dec. 10th, you will receive instructions  with the parameters and requirements for your play – including special surprise elements that you will need to include in your piece!

You will have from Dec. 10th at noon until the deadline on Dec. 12th at noon to write your play! This format is modeled on the 24-hour play model, so we know these are not going to be polished pieces. That’s ok! We want them to be wild, crazy, hilarious, daring, and messy. Take a risk,  this is your chance!

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of space and time, we will not be able to produce all the submitted plays. You will be contacted by the evening of Sat Dec. 12th if your play has been selected for production as part of the Smackdown.

If I’m an actor, what do I need to know?

If you’ve signed up, you will receive details about the event via email. You’ll show up on Sun Dec. 13th at noon and through the fastest casting process you’ve ever experienced, you will be paired with a piece (or two, or three) and sent off to spend the day working with your director(s) to bring it to life! This festival is not for the faint of heart – come with an open mind, and be ready to roll with whatever is thrown at you. Anything can and will happen!

If I’m a director, what do I need to know?

If you’ve signed up, you will receive details about the event via email. You’ll show up  on Sun Dec. 13th at noon and will be paired with a play, and possibly a co-director or assistant director, and after the fastest casting process you’ve ever experienced, you’ll be sent off to rehearse your piece! Again, this is not for the faint of heart – this is directing like you’ve never experienced – bring an open mind and be ready to get creative! This is your chance to be bold and imaginative!